Abstract:Vines are important components of tropical-subtropical forests ecosystems. Guangdong Province is located in the northern edge of the tropics to the middle subtropics, with abundant resources of climbing plants. Based on the literature of plant resources of Guangdong Province, the geographic composition of climbing plants, as well as their functional types and potentials for landscape applications, were systematically reviewed from a phylogeographic perspective. The results showed that there are 754 species (including varieties and forms) of climbing plants in 68 families and 216 genera in Guangdong, of which 48 families and 145 genera belonged to the tropics, with typical tropical characteristics. There are 651 species of native vines, 103 species of exotic vines, 341 species of vines with food and medicinal value, 138 species of ornamental vines commonly used in gardens, and 57 species with application potential. There were more species of woody rattan than grass rattan, and the climbing methods are mainly twining and tendrils. The zonality, functionality and species diversity of climbing plants in urban green spaces in Guangdong Province could be improved by increasing the application of native climbing plants, combining vines and lianas, and using climbing plants with high ornamental value.
